Manchester City could field a rotated side in their Carabao Cup round of 16 tie against a Southampton team fresh off a 9-0 home defeat to Leicester City.
Although Southampton were absolutely rolled by Leicester in the biggest home defeat by any side in the Premier League era, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expects a real fight from the Saints in midweek.
"“It’s not easy of course but at the same time I think they are incredible professionals,” Guardiola said per the Manchester Evening News. “The players are professionals and will do their best…I am not going to judge Southampton or prepare for the games on that result against Leicester.”"
It does look rather bleak for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men, who will head to the Etihad Stadium for two consecutive fixtures against City in the League Cup and then the Premier League. In an attempt to make up for the debacle on the South Coast, the players and staff at the club have donated their wages from the match to charity, and have shown real defiance in the build-up to the match.
The board have backed the manager, and the players appear determined to not allow a similar result against the two-time defending Carabao Cup champions. From a Manchester City perspective, however, it seems like the perfect time to face the Saints.
It should be an exciting match as the young center-back pairing of Eric García and Taylor Harwood-Bellis could get their first taste together against Premier League opposition given the slew of injuries at the back.
After starting three consecutive matches for just the fourth time in his three-year Manchester City career, Benjamin Mendy should be given the night off, with Angeliño coming in to replace him after Oleks Zinchenko’s knee injury. Kyle Walker could also return to first team action, and Phil Foden could earn a start after solid performances in the last two matches against Atalanta and Aston Villa. Past that, it should be a combination of regulars for Guardiola’s men in attack, while cup goalkeeper Claudio Bravo should also feature.
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City will be massive favorites heading into this match, although they must not allow complacency to creep in. Southampton are a wounded animal that were just hit with a massive wake-up call last weekend, and will give everything to avoid another demolition. With nothing to lose, the Saints will defend deep and look to nick a result to get their season back on track. Southampton currently sit 18th in the table, and look to be in real danger of losing their eight-year streak in the top flight, so City will need to be wary of the fight the visitors will put up.
While this may appear to be an easy fixture for the Blues, Southampton come into this tie with perhaps their biggest motivation of the season. This appears to be a match where a goal within the first 15 minutes will be massive for City. If the Blues can score the early goal, heads may begin to drop for the opposition and City could put another massive number past Southampton. If the visitors can stay organized, frustrate the favorites, defend as a unit and try to hit on the break, it could be a more difficult fixture than many experts would anticipate.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Southampton